Stranger Danger

“Do you know why mister did such a thing, Qingyou? Is he actually planning to become an official?”

At the Jixia Academy, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou were strolling on a small, shaded path. A drizzle was falling from the sky and forming what looked like a thin curtain of water encompassing the mountains and the buildings. It looked like an inkwash painting, beautiful and meaningful.

“I doubt so. The Chief Libationist’s ambition and heart have never lied in the court, and it probably never will.” Feng Qingyou answered after thinking for a moment, “So, he’s probably doing this for some other reason.”

“And what is this reason, exactly?” Ye Qing mused out loud. “Is it to support the new emperor’s reign? Scare the cunning and treacherous? Intimidate the three empires?”

Feng Qingyou smiled. “It could be all of them.”

Ye Qing shrugged noncommittally before changing the subject, “I did not think that the Chief Libationist’s political acumen is a match for his fighting skills. He’s making all these waves like it’s nothing. No wonder he is the model of all scholars under the heavens. Everyone only wishes that they are as cunning and resourceful as him.”

He was talking about how the Chief Libationist dealt with the mess Emperor Jing Run had left behind and the aftermath of the incident, of course. In theory, it sounded oh-so-simple, but in reality, it was not easy at all.

For example, he had diminished Emperor Jing Run’s role in this incident and pinned most of the blame on King Taishan. This saved not just the imperial court’s dignity but also prevented greater unrest and public dissatisfaction among the people.

For example, he had built up his own renown to untouchable levels both to unite the people and to throw his metaphorical weight around when necessary. This allowed him to prevent some people from spreading rumors, sowing dissension, and causing chaos.

For example, he had chosen a new emperor in the shortest amount of time possible both to avoid the imperial court entering a civil war and to prevent foreign enemies from taking advantage of their lack of an emperor.

Case in point, Yan, Wei and Qi had coveted Chu for a very long time, and this incident was without a doubt an excellent opportunity. Be it the fact that Emperor Jing Run had colluded with Fengdu, or the fact that Emperor Jing Run was dead, and Chu was currently without its leader, these were golden opportunities the three empires could have taken advantage of. Assuming they had the chance to execute their plans, they could have, in the best case scenario, eliminated Chu effortlessly.

However, none of the great empires had made a move. It wasn’t because they didn’t want to, but because they couldn’t. The Chief Libationist had plugged all of the holes in the dam before they could take advantage of it. So, they could only watch as the opportunity slipped right through their fingers.